Latest news with #SiobhanBrown
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Sean Brown: Thousands attend public demonstration in Bellaghy
Thousands of people have attended a public demonstration in Bellaghy in support of the family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown, a father of six, was abducted and shot dead by members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) as he locked gates at Bellaghy GAA club, County Londonderry, in was 61 years old when he family of Mr Brown have sought to have a public inquiry heard into his murder. Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal affirmed a previous court ruling, compelling the UK government to hold a public inquiry into his government said it intends to seek a Supreme Court appeal over the ruling.A previous court also ruled that the government's refusal to hold an inquiry was have been two police investigations and a Police Ombudsman investigation into Mr Brown's murder. The demonstration, which organisers called The Walk For Truth, left from St Mary's Church in Bellaghy on Friday of people made their way to Páirc Seán de Brú lined the route clapping the car in which Mr Brown's 87-year-old widow Bridie the car, her children and grandchildren marched with a banner demanding justice. 'Totally invested' Sean Brown's daughter Siobhan Brown said the level of support from people had been "unbelievable"."No words can explain exactly how much we appreciate the number of people that have come here from all parts of Ireland," she told BBC News NI."I hope the British government will take note that the people of Ireland are speaking and the GAA people in particular are totally invested and behind the Brown family." Also in attendance were Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and GAA President Jarlath said "all of Ireland" is behind the Brown family's campaign for a public inquiry."The British government know what they need to do. They need to establish the public inquiry and allow Brown family all of these years later simply to have the truth," she said. 'Get on with it' O'Neill said the demonstration had sent the British government a message."I would say to (Northern Ireland Secretary ) Hillary Benn and the British government, take a look, take a look at what's happened here in Bellaghy tonight."The message couldn't be clearer from here, get on with it, do what is right and proper."Give the Browns the public inquiry, let them know what exactly what happened. That's all they want, the truth about what happened to Sean Brown," she said. People from all over Ireland joined the march in support of the Brown family said it's the largest demonstration that has been held for their fight for a public inquiry. Mr Brown's family met Irish deputy premier Simon Harris earlier this week as part of their campaign to see a public inquiry heard. What happened to Sean Brown? Mr Brown was locking the gates of GAA club Bellaghy Wolfe Tones when he was kidnapped by the Loyalist Volunteer Force ( LVF).Early last year, a court heard more than 25 people, including state agents, had been linked by intelligence material to Mr Brown's March 2024 a coroner said Mr Brown's inquest could not continue due to material being withheld on the grounds of national decided that redactions of intelligence material meant he could not properly investigate the circumstances of the he wrote to the then Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, requesting a public inquiry into the case. In December, the High Court ruled that Hilary Benn must set up a public inquiry into the government then appealed against that ruling, mounting a legal challenge to the Court of Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said it was "a shocking state of affairs" that more than 25 years had passed but there had been no "lawful inquiry into the circumstances" of Mr Brown's that ruling, Mr Brown's family said Benn should "do the right thing".Mr Brown's widow spoke directly to the NI secretary, saying: "Five judges have told you what to do, do the right thing and please don't have me going to London."
The National
14-05-2025
- Climate
- The National
Fire crews spend fifth day tackling major forest blaze
At the height of the incident, more than 50 firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze in woodland near Fauldhouse. A helicopter was also used to drop water onto the burning trees and moorland. Firefighters were called to the scene at 11.43am on Saturday. READ MORE: NC500 named least electric vehicle-friendly road trip in UK-wide study On Wednesday morning, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) spokesperson confirmed that two appliances remained at the scene. People living nearby have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke. An SFRS spokesperson said on Wednesday at around 7.30am: 'There are still sporadic hotspots, so we still have crews in attendance fighting it.' The fire service had earlier warned of an 'extreme' risk of wildfires across mainland Scotland due to the warm, dry weather, which remained in place until May 12. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the incident highlighted the need to reverse cuts to fire and rescue services. Colin Brown, FBU executive member for Scotland, previously said: 'Firefighters from across central Scotland have been in attendance at this major wildfire. 'They have worked in searing temperatures to try to control its spread and protect the public and nearby property. 'Their commitment and skill has ensured that the fire didn't spread and cause much further damage or loss of life. 'Sadly, events like this are likely to be more frequent in future as a result of global warming. 'If communities are to be protected we need to reverse the cuts to the fire and rescue service that has resulted in 1200 jobs lost over the last decade, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Government need to withdraw their proposals to close fire stations and cut yet more fire appliances from community fire stations. 'Representatives from the FBU will be making these points very forcibly to the minister for victims and community safety Siobhan Brown when we meet her this week.' The Scottish Greens said the fire, as well as the extreme wildfire warnings issued for May 9-12, signalled the country was on the front line of the climate crisis. MSP Ariane Burgess previously said: 'We aren't even in the height of our summer yet and we are already seeing our woodlands burning and warnings in place across much of the country. 'We should all be grateful to the firefighters who are risking their lives and putting their safety on the line to protect us and our communities. 'It's not just the immediate threats they face, but also the lifelong increased health risks from exposure to smoke and toxic substances. 'We need to do everything we can to ensure that they are well supported and properly equipped for the growing threats that we face from increasing temperatures.' READ MORE: Scotland sees warmest day of year as thunderstorms lash parts of England She added: 'Scotland is blessed with amazing and iconic landscapes that attract visitors from across the world. 'But they are also homes and places where people live and work, and, with our climate changing around us, they are being put at growing risk and thrust on to the front line of the climate crisis.' Deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour, of the SFRS, previously said: 'We are currently in the midst of a service delivery review, which aims to ensure that our resources – our staff, stations and appliances – are matched to operational risk and demand across Scotland. 'We have now concluded an options appraisal and development process and a number of change options have been recommended to progress to public consultation in the summer. This remains subject to final approval by the SFRS Board. 'Any permanent changes to our station footprint or how we deliver our services will only come after we have sought views from the public and a final decision has been made by the SFRS Board.'
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Sean Brown's family hail ‘very promising meeting' with Tanaiste
The family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown have hailed a 'very promising' meeting with Tánaiste Simon Harris. Mr Brown's daughter, Siobhan, said they left Mr Harris with the message of 'what us as a family have been going through'. In a statement after the meeting, Mr Harris said the Brown family have waited far too long for an investigation into his murder. Mr Harris said the failure to effectively investigate the murder is 'simply unacceptable'. He pledged to 'continue to use every channel available to me to pursue this matter'. READ MORE It comes after the UK government confirmed it will seek to appeal to the supreme court over a court ruling that ordered it to hold a public inquiry into Mr Brown's killing. Mr Brown (61), the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA Club in Co Derry, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997. No one has ever been convicted of his killing. Preliminary inquest proceedings last year heard that more than 25 people were linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents. It was also alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning. Appeal Court judges in Belfast affirmed an earlier High Court ruling compelling the UK government to hold a public inquiry. It said the failure to hold such an inquiry is unlawful. However, the Northern Ireland Secretary says the case involves a key constitutional principle of who should order public inquiries, the Government or the judiciary. GAA president Jarlath Burns was part of the delegation which met Mr Harris at Government Buildings in Dublin on the 28th anniversary of Mr Brown's murder. Ms Brown said after the meeting that they had provided Mr Harris with 'clear documents as to what we've received throughout the course of inquiries and the failings by the British government in dealing with an article two compliant investigation into our father's murder'. 'He (Mr Harris) was very empathetic to our cause today and listened closely to us, and we look forward to the Irish Government working alongside us in support of a public inquiry into our father's murder,' she said. Speaking alongside her sister, Clare, and their elderly mother Bridie, she said they made it clear that the 'only mechanism to go forward is to have a public inquiry'. 'At this point we do (have confidence in the Irish Government), he has been provided with copies of all the documents that we have in our possession. He is fully aware of all the redacted material. 'He is fully aware of the issues that we have encountered in this inquiry.' Mr Burns said he was there to represent the 'support of all the GAA people'. 'We have made it very clear that we will be with this family throughout this process, and I want to thank the Tánaiste for the time that he took to meet the family, the sympathy that he showed and the support that the Irish Government has given this family right from the beginning of this tragedy, and we know that that will continue,' he said. Mr Harris also paid tribute to the family after the meeting 'Bridie Brown and her family have shown enormous strength in pursuing this case and I will continue to use my influence and that of the Irish Government to bring about a resolution that is acceptable to the Brown family. They have waited too long,' he said. -PA
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Daily Record
Men charged for soliciting as Scots cops launch crackdown on kerb crawling
At least nine men have been charged with soliciting in Dundee amid a new police crackdown on kerb crawling. Cops in the city have also been arresting and charging anyone attempting to purchase sex. Officers are focusing on areas known for on street prostitution and have been engaging with people involved in sex work to make sure they are safe and signposted to support from local partner agencies. It has resulted in nine charges so far. This new approach was piloted in Aberdeen, and is now in action in Glasgow and Dundee, specifically in areas where on street prostitution remains an issue. It will also be adopted across the country where specific Operation Begonia patrols are in addition to regular police patrols. Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram, lead on Prostitution, Police Scotland, said: 'Prostitution brings a significant threat of risk and harm to people and communities. 'People involved in prostitution, most of whom are women, are particularly vulnerable to violence. 'Drug or alcohol related issues, or poverty, can drive people into prostitution, particularly on street. 'Our approach, as demonstrated in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee, focuses on safety and welfare, engaging with people and signposting them to support available from our partners, and hopefully reducing the risk of violence. 'This is about building trust and confidence in policing. It's about safer communities and supported victims. And it's about tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms.' Siobhan Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, joined Police Scotland officers in Dundee last night, Tuesday, April 29, to see the service's new national approach to prostitution in action. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Victims Minister Siobhan Brown said: 'I was pleased to visit Dundee to learn more about Police Scotland's new national approach to tackle demand for prostitution, Operation Begonia, which recognises women involved in prostitution as victims of exploitation and signposts them to local support organisations, whilst also challenging and deterring men's demand. 'This is an early outcome of our joint work with Police Scotland and this approach, with a focus on safety and support for those involved in commercial sexual exploitation, will help to contribute to better outcomes for victims as well as safer communities.'
